“WELLNESS TOURISM IS EXPECTED TO GROW IN 2023”

Kanishka Ramchandani in conversation with Leena Khandekar, Director & Founder Lee’s beauty Center and Spa institute, pune, about wellness trends for 2023, and the importance of better training for spa therapists.

What is the current scenario of the Indian spa industry?

The word ‘spa’ is often used to describe a resort located by mineral springs that are thought to have healthpromoting properties, but this term is also associated with a wider array of commercial facilities offering different wellness treatments. A spa provides a range of services for health , body system management and body relaxation. These include massages, body scrubs, steam baths, facials, waxing and nail care.

The Indian Spa Industry is now coming back to normal. People have started taking regular treatments. Yes, they are very particular about the hygiene aspects and protocols. People are now taking hygiene, sanitation and sterilisation aspects seriously, and are also keenly observing how spas are following these protocols.

How was the year 2022 for the industry?

People now are more keen on taking regular treatments the spa. The importance of personal care has surely reased. They have started paying more attention to themselves.

Products that promote gut health and support icrobiome will also be of major interest. Much of this is that necessarily new, but the effects of these treatments will be more sought after now than they were in the pre-VID times. Post-COVID they are really paying good tention to themselves.

Around 60-70 per cent of those who are more focused wellness now say the pandemic has made them realise at they need to be healthier to keep diseases, disorders d illnesses at bay. With the awareness of their personal role in maintaining wellness, clients will be very interested in immunity boosting treatments and products, both for spa and home care use. While the spa can only do so much in the allotted time of a visit, educating guests on how to continue at home will be the key. Some options include lymphatic drainage treatments (MLD), infrared saunas and contrast therapy, acupuncture, massage, the use of aromatherapy, and anything that stimulates circulation. Regular body wrap or body polishing treatments are also taking place,

People now have started taking yearly packages for the same, such as loyalty programmes, so they can continue their health regime.

What changes do you think are likely to happen in the industry in 2023?

Mainly body spa services, body polishing services, spa nail care, spa hair care services and spa facials will see increased demand, because people now are believing more in spa products than in chemical based ones. Body detox therapies will take place in bigger numbers. As customers are growing more comfortable with aromatherapies, aroma head massage, aroma facials, aroma body massage treatments will also grow rapidly.

What are the spa trends for 2023?

In 2023 mainly detox therapies will be in focus, as customers are more keen on such services nowadays.

Nutrition, supplementation and alternative therapies are in high demand, too, as there is a surge of interest in the quality of sleep and in the body’s immune system. Support for mental health through healing therapies will also see increased demand. All types of guided meditation, outdoor activities, connecting with nature – for accommodation, think treehouses - are on the cards for 2023. Treatments, group sessions and wellness experiences of all types are points of interest.

Wellness tourism is expected to grow in 2023, which will positively impact the spa industry, as consumers seek to reset their physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing and bond with oneself and nature on wellness trips. Consumers are likely to indulge in a variety of spa services when they attend a cruise or retreat centered around wellness. Even people who travel for business or leisure often incorporate wellness activities in their itineraries. Spas are now focusing more on medium to premium prices. For high end services, spas will offer top-notch facilities and modern innovative equipment as another way of boosting demand. Customers ask for Swedish massage, bamboo massage and candle massage therapies, which are very good rejuvenation and relaxing and detoxifying treatments.

What are your plans for next year, especially with regards to education?

We are mainly focussing on spa, m ke-up and beauty therapy curriculum. We have CIDESCO and C BTAC accreditation. We will also pr vide guidance to our candidates th ough the CIDESCO International and CIBTAC curriculum. We are al o assisting in placements mainly in the spa industry including hotels, re orts, cruise liner, education centres, Ay rveda centres and health management clinics.

Online spa education will be ovided by our institute for existing stitute, Pune therapists in the industry. Our focus is mainly on teaching theory properly as ell as practically so therapists can perform treatment as er the client’s needs and their skin type. We are focusing ore on treatments like Swedish massage, bamboo massage candle massage therapies lava shell gyu sha stone treatments.

India is likely to witness a boom in the spa business. What advice would you like to give to entrepreneurs who are planning on entering this segment?

I would like to advise them to take good education related spa treatments, mainly learn anatomy and physiology, rovide the same training to the staff who will work with the lients; check market trends; and take regular feedback om their clients and team members to rectify mistakes and keep yourself or your business up to. Keep proper records f your services and customer feedback, which will be really elpful for your future business and services. Consistency is ery important, a proper business plan is necessary if you ant to enter into this industry. Understand various national nd international product ranges, know your target customer nd your service offerings. At certain intervals, undertake ompletion surveys, too.

What advice do you have for spa therapists?

Therapists should be well trained and certified. They hould get proper training, especially regarding human natomy and physiology. If they are already trained hen they really have to follow all the protocols of the pa industry, such as hygiene, sanitation, sterilisation, aintenance of client record, and provide treatments s per skin type for which product knowledge is vital. ain good experience by working at a good place and emain consistent with that place, if you are getting good xperience there, These days people are moving from one lace to another just because they get small increments. owever, I believe that gaining experience at one place important for your career. Therapists need to regularly pgrade themselves and learn advanced treatments and eep practising.